Therapy: Off Script was created to be a safe haven for film professionals – providing empathetic, relatable spaces that inspire harmony while working in a chaotic industry.
By not only diving into the story, but each subtext and undertone that colors the plot, Shanelle primarily operates from attachment-based and psychodynamic perspectives while keeping a person-centred approach in mind. Similar to choosing a favorite film genre, her preference is always what’s best suited to the client – borrowing from concepts like CBT, ARPT, Narrative Therapy, and ACT when called for.
Because no matter what scenes or sequels you'll encounter in life, Therapy: Off Script is here to work through your rewrites in tandem to help you reach your goals.
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) #22253
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (RP-Q) #15126 under the supervision of Trixie Hennessey
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) – In Application
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Shanelle completed her BA in Psychology at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan. While there, she briefly served as a UBC Mental Health Network board member and performed research under Dr. Jocelyn Wentland and Dr. Suzanne Holtzman. Additionally, she participated in the Indigenous Research Mentorship Program, which awards First Nations, Inuit, and Métis undergraduate students (like herself) the possibility to work alongside faculty mentors to gain research experience of their ideal interest. Shanelle also ensured to enroll in many special interest classes at her university, like the Psychology of Creativity, Humour, and Interpersonal Relationship Psychology – contributing to her expansive understanding of how our unique psychology colours every aspect of our lives.
Receiving such a diverse education at UBCO set Shanelle up for success in enrolling in her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology. While completing her MA, she continued to immerse herself in the film and entertainment industry – becoming an expert at time management and organization as she swapped between school and set. Her dedication to the demands of the film industry while pursuing her studies solidified her belief that there is a need for better mental health support in our field. She was honoured to complete her practicum under two esteemed Vancouver-based online practices, enabling her to gain knowledge from varying perspectives as she worked with a myriad of cases and clients. Shanelle proudly graduated with distinction from her University and great feedback from many of her professors.
Completed
Mental Health First Aid – Certification
(Mental Health Commission of Canada)
C2C: Connecting to Land through Indigenous Learning – Certification
(Classrooms to Communities: Education Network)
ARPT Basic Clinical Training
(Attachment Repair and Processing Therapy)
In Progress
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1
(The Gottman Institute)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 2
(The Gottman Institute)
Up-Next
San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
(First Nations Mental Health Authority)
Shanelle has been an advocate and volunteer with the Elizabeth Fry Society and The Canadian Mental Health Association over the years – leading the Kelowna Take Back The Night march two years in a row and giving anti-bullying speeches with the CMHA.
Shanelle is a member of Métis Nation Alberta and actively participates in her Métis Nation British Columbia communities. She consistently engages with her community and looks to other Indigenous sectors for feedback and knowledge on supporting Indigenous well-being.
As a former Miss Universe Canada delegate and Miss World Okanagan, Shanelle has used her platform to actively advocate on behalf of individuals who have experienced and survived domestic, mental, and sexual violence/abuse – and continues to work with individuals healing from the effects of narcissistic trauma.
In 2019, Shanelle re-entered the film industry and began her professional work as an actor. She leveraged her 20+ years engagement in performance arts and commercial market to guide her journey as she made her way to on-screen entertainment. However, Shanelle did not start there and has worked in various positions like stand-in and graphics department, producing, and even has had a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos that follows agency life and the casting process. Hence, she truly understands our everyday ups and downs in this creative field.
Today, Shanelle is an active member of UBCP-ACTRA and the CMPA, living between Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. She frequently collaborates with our unions, non-profit organizations, and industry leaders to ensure she stays proficient in what film needs for mental health support. Even more, she values the feedback of her peers (those on and off set) on what can make her practice and our industry better. Therefore, Shanelle proudly amalgamates this insider information with her credentials to finally offer our colleagues what they deserve –
TIKTOK
FREE CONSULT
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